Sunday. July 26, 2026 - See Previous Newsletters

Have you ever been reading a thriller or watching a crime show and thought, “Wait… is that actually how it works in real life?”

While I was editing the second set of deleted scenes that I recently discovered from the first Lust, Money & Murder books (The Lie Detector Test), I found myself smiling at this thought.

Novels and movies often warp reality to keep the story moving fast – no one wants to watch a detective sit around for six months waiting on a DNA test.

I try to avoid these as much as possble in my books. And I did, in the lie detector scene. But sometimes they can't be helped. Authors are forced to use at least a little "literary license" to keep readers from getting bored.

Here are a few of my favorite Real Life vs. Fiction realities:

1. Polygraph Biofeedback. In movies, to maximize drama, the suspect nervously stares at the needle bouncing on the paper while the test is underway. In real life? A suspect is never allowed to see the display. Staring at the needles creates a biofeedback loop, which would allow them to consciously adjust their breathing and suppress their physical response.

2. The Speed of Justice. In fiction, a murder trial starts the next Tuesday after an arrest. In reality, pretrial discovery, motions, and jury selection take months or years.  The shy, vulnerable 15-year-old witness at the center of the a crime novel could easily graduate college and start a high-powered career on Wall Street before they ever get called to testify.

3. "Whisper-Quiet" Silencers. Hollywood suppressors make a soft ptff noise, allowing assassins to clear a room without disturbing a sleeping cat. In reality, a suppressed gunshot is around 120 decibels.  That’s roughly as loud as a thunderclap or a jet engine at takeoff—so everyone in the building would hear it, along with most of the neighbors.

4. Forensics on Demand. TV detectives get DNA results back over a single coffee break. Real-world crime labs have massive backlogs that take weeks or months to return a match.  By the time the lab tech finally emailed the DNA profile, the lead detective might have retired, taken up woodworking, and forgotten who the suspect was.

5. Instant Chloroform. A soaked rag over the face doesn't knock someone out in three seconds flat. Realistically, it takes up to five minutes of continuous, heavy breathing to take effect. If a villain tries this on you, you’ll have enough time to check your email, text a couple of your friends, and politely ask the attacker if their arm is getting tired before you actually pass out.

Which one of these fiction short-cuts bugs you the most when you're reading or watching a movie? Hit reply and let me know!

For my loyal Lust, Money & Murder Readers...

If you've read the series—or are planning a complete re-read—I put together something special that isn't available on Amazon or any other retailer: The Complete 18-Book Bundle.

I’m running a steep VIP discount ($20 off) until on this complete collection for list subscribers this weekend.

The complete series, over 1.5 million words, is fused into one single digital file for your Kindle, iPad, or ereader. No closing out files, no searching for the next title—just turn the page and keep reading. Plus, you get 100% DRM-free files to keep permanently on your own hard drive or cloud backup - they are yours forever, not rented from Amazon or a big retailer.

Until next time, keep your eye out for those 120-decibel "silencers!"

Bye for now,

Mike

P.S.  Yes, I am working on more Lust, Money & Murder books that take up where Book 18 ended, a new phase.  Stay tuned!

New! Lust, Money & Murder

Collector's LIMITED Edition

Signed Hardcover

Have you read all my books?  

Lust, Money & Murder

Affordable Trilogy Boxed Sets

Lust, Money & Murder

Stand-Alone Novels

Outback Diamonds (LM&M #16)

Marilyn's Secret Liptstick (LM&M #17)

Mortal Silence (LM&M #18)

More 'Unputdownable' Books by Mike Wells
(Click on the photos for full synopses)

International Crime Thriller - Lust, Money & Murder (Series)
The deeper she goes, the more she risks becoming a criminal herself.

Crime/Psychological Thriller
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Crime Thriller - The Drive-By Wife
Takes "home invasion" to an entirely new level.

Crime Thriller - The List
She doesn't forget. She doesn't forgive.

Crime Thriller/Serial Murders - With Mother's Approval
A mother's love is eternal. For some, it's lethal.

Romantic Suspense - Forbidden (Series)
Temptation has its price.

New Adult Sci-Fi Adventure - Wild Child (Series)
You don't choose the green water...the green water chooses you.

Horror/Black Comedy
Babies always know...and they don't forget.

Technothriller - The Tesla Secret
Unlocking Tesla’s free energy secret could power the world...or end their lives.

Technothriller - Blind Scorpion
He could walk away a hero...but for which country?

YA Sci-Fi Romance - The Mysterious Disappearance of Kurt Kramer 
Lost in between worlds, will his heart lead him home?

Romantic Comedy - Secrets of the Elusive Lover
He plays the field, but she changes the game.

Coming of Age Suspense - The Wrong Side of the Tracks
First love in the teenage hell known as high school.

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